0:00:07 > 0:00:10I'm hot on the trail of cowboy builders
0:00:10 > 0:00:15who have botched the jobs and ruined the dreams of unsuspecting homeowners.
0:00:15 > 0:00:21Every room, there's something wrong. Wherever you walk in the house, you see a problem.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Up and down the country, cowboy builders are stalking their next victim
0:00:25 > 0:00:30and they could be knocking on your door pretty soon, so watch out!
0:00:30 > 0:00:34I can't stand the fact that I can't fix it.
0:00:34 > 0:00:41I can't fix it, can't get it done. This is still probably to us another two or three years minimum.
0:00:41 > 0:00:48I want to offer a glimmer of hope to homeowners who've been left in the lurch by cowboy builders.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51That's the first moment where I just felt absolutely pig sick
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and just wanted to cry. He wasn't coming back.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Along the way, I'll be offering up some top hints and tips
0:00:58 > 0:01:02in the hope that you will avoid falling into the cowboy trap.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16Welcome to Reading, the Berkshire town famous for the three Bs -
0:01:16 > 0:01:19beer, bulbs and biscuits.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I've fitted more bulbs than I've planted
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and I've had more than my fair share of beer and biscuits.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29But it's another B that brings me to Reading - bungling builders!
0:01:29 > 0:01:35We're in the Woodley district of Reading, home to professional ice skating coaches
0:01:35 > 0:01:40Lucine and David Phillips and their family, daughters nine-year-old Sophie,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43seven-year-old Emily and David's mum, Jean.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Lucine and David met and fell in love on the ice
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and have been together for 20 years and married for 10.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56David was Lucine's ice dancing coach and they soon became professional skating partners,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00even competing against Olympic legends Torvill and Dean.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Since retiring from competitive skating,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07they've been teaching at their local ice rink.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Five years ago, the couple clubbed together with David's mum to buy this 1960s semi.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18A for ever home with an annexe next-door for David's mum,
0:02:18 > 0:02:23a bedroom for each of the children.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27David's mother Jean suffers from mild dementia
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and has limited mobility, so Lucine and David wanted to look after her.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36The plan was to adapt the house, creating accessible facilities
0:02:36 > 0:02:40on the ground floor and they knew just the man for the job.
0:02:40 > 0:02:46Lucine and David met their cowboy builder through teaching him and his children how to skate.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48They even holidayed together.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50He's come to our wedding.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56I told my wife I loved her for the first time ever with him with us. So very good friends.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Lucine and David had no hesitation in asking their family friend
0:03:00 > 0:03:04to convert their new house and create a granny annexe for mum Jean.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Lucine and David work in perfect harmony on the rink,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14but they were skating on thin ice when they trusted their builder pal implicitly,
0:03:14 > 0:03:21not doubting for a second his expert judgment or their long-standing friendship.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27We had lots of written quotes and what have you, but we never ever actually entered a contract.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31We were friends. There was no way we thought there'd ever be a problem.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36The Phillips family dream was to convert a double garage
0:03:36 > 0:03:41into Jean's new accommodation, including a lounge and kitchen.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43On top of this granny annexe,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46they wanted to extend the house to the side,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50giving them a master bedroom with en suite and a bathroom for the girls.
0:03:50 > 0:03:56The work also included a new kitchen, electrics, flooring and redecoration throughout.
0:03:56 > 0:04:03Their builder buddy quoted an estimate of £40,000 over a 12-month schedule.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09Our little joke was it would be done before Christmas. The joke being we never mentioned which Christmas.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Work got off to a promising start.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16The builder made quick work of the granny annexe, so moved on to the main extension.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20David and his builder pal hadn't agreed a payment schedule,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24so money was flying out of his pocket left, right and centre.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29We paid him some fairly substantial lump sums at the beginning.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33And then ultimately, pretty much on a weekly basis,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36we would be told, "I need this much, that much,"
0:04:36 > 0:04:41that would pay off the various tradesmen, a couple of thousand here and there.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45You'll certainly pay for your mistake if you pay this way.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51Building works are a business transaction, even if you are friends with your contractor.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04You know exactly what you're shelling out for and when.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Lucine and David had asked their builder to do some extra work on the house,
0:05:08 > 0:05:13but they had no idea if this was included in the quote.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15They were in for a nasty shock.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18We asked him to do additional work,
0:05:18 > 0:05:24so the cost went up on top of that and I think we got to about £60,000-£65,000 on that,
0:05:24 > 0:05:30but we initially thought the actual cost included the goods and then we were asked to buy them as well.
0:05:30 > 0:05:37Lucine and David are used to keeping their poise on the ice, but as far as their build was concerned,
0:05:37 > 0:05:38cracks had started to show.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43As costs mounted for the skaters, their schedule began to slide.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The costs had spiralled dramatically.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Over 20 grand more than their original quote.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56And the builder certainly wasn't getting his skates on, as the Christmas deadline came and went.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00But they trusted their builder to finish the job
0:06:00 > 0:06:04and didn't think twice when he started making plans to visit the United States.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10Almost exactly one year after ripping the kitchen out,
0:06:10 > 0:06:15he went to America, not on holiday but to establish his house
0:06:15 > 0:06:19and family in America because ultimately, he was going to emigrate.
0:06:19 > 0:06:26Their comrade contractor had sent his family over to America to set up home.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31He told Lucine and David he was planning to join them, once he'd finished the job.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34There was still a substantial amount of work left to do,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37but his promises were enough for the couple.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41So when he went away again, they didn't think anything of it.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45A three-week holiday soon turned into a three-month absence
0:06:45 > 0:06:49and it dawned on Lucine and David that their builder wasn't coming back.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53He took their money, bodged the build and left them to pick up the pieces.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56In short, he made a right bolero!
0:06:56 > 0:07:03He was supposed to be back in August, early September,
0:07:03 > 0:07:08and three months went by and his brother turned up at our door
0:07:08 > 0:07:12and asked for all of his brother's tools
0:07:12 > 0:07:15that were sitting in a big lock-up on our drive,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18which we were paying £35 a week for the lock-up.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23It didn't make sense and it was a horrible sickening feeling of, "Oh, my God!"
0:07:25 > 0:07:30Up until then, the work looked OK, but the cracks in the job were starting to show.
0:07:30 > 0:07:36Panic set in and David e-mailed his friend to find out when he was coming back to finish their home.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43Eventually got an e-mail and a message saying "I'm not coming back"
0:07:43 > 0:07:50and according to the e-mail, he tried to set up a business in America and went bust
0:07:50 > 0:07:57and had no way of coming back, didn't have enough finances, so he couldn't come back to finish the work.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03That's the first moment where I just felt absolutely pig sick
0:08:03 > 0:08:06and just wanted to cry. He just wasn't coming back.
0:08:08 > 0:08:15Lucine and David had forked out over £60,000, 20 grand more than the original quote.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18This included some extra work,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22but also additional material cost they had thought were included.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27Lucine and David were left in a spin with sloppy workmanship throughout.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30The list of snags is never-ending,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34with a leaky roof causing flooding, a broken ceiling,
0:08:34 > 0:08:38flawed flooring, dangerous electrics, bodged bathrooms
0:08:38 > 0:08:43and unsafe brickwork, to name but a few of their problems.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Unfortunately, we've had quite a lot of leaks
0:08:46 > 0:08:52and flooding from where the room was built on to our flat roof
0:08:52 > 0:08:57and we've had an awful lot of water running through there, through the house.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Our skating duo have had to put their plans on ice.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07Their botched build has required a huge amount of corrective work,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11for which they've paid another staggering £40,000.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15The remedial work that we've done is huge
0:09:15 > 0:09:21and we have had piping redone, new boiler, new tank...
0:09:21 > 0:09:24We had no heating for two years.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28We've had skirting done, doors done, the list is endless.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Lucine and David have had to live with the constant reminder
0:09:32 > 0:09:37that someone they believed was a close friend could leave them in this state.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Every room, there's something wrong.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43So wherever you walk in the house, you see a problem.
0:09:44 > 0:09:50I can't stand the fact that I can't fix it. To us, this is probably another two or three years minimum.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55David's mum Jean believes her son has been most upset
0:09:55 > 0:09:59because he feels responsible for getting his mate involved.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It affected him as he was a friend and it's taken so long.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04We've been here over five years now.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Lucine and David's daughters have spent the last three years
0:10:08 > 0:10:10growing up in a building site.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13But they too were charmed by the bad builder.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15He was actually quite a nice man.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20He was one of our mummy and daddy's friends.
0:10:21 > 0:10:28The main reason behind the extension was so the girls could each have their own bedroom and a bathroom.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30He was paid to like do our bathroom.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34And he went off
0:10:34 > 0:10:37to another country and decided to stay there.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- He hasn't done the work. - And he took all the money.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47This unlucky family have had this building burden hanging over them for far too long.
0:10:48 > 0:10:54I'm here today to see what we can do to help Lucine and David get their build back on track.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- Lucine?- Yes.- David?- Hello.- I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap.- Hi, Clive.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08You've had problems with cowboy builders and I'm sorry to hear that.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- Do you mind if I have a look at the damage?- Come on in.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- Straight on down, help yourself. - Thanks very much.
0:11:17 > 0:11:23First, I'm going straight to the double garage conversion on the side of the house.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28I'm guessing this is the extension or annexe that was for mum.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32You can see all the stainage there of the water.
0:11:32 > 0:11:39The problem is, you imagine all these little slopes, water is going to track its way down.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44You look at this light fitting, it's all dropping down on one side.
0:11:44 > 0:11:51It's not because the light fitting isn't on correctly, it's because the ceiling's falling away.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Look at this.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58That ceiling there, that's up and down like a rollercoaster ride.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01And every time you're walking on these floors,
0:12:01 > 0:12:06everywhere I'm walking, it's creaking and wobbly.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Just off the living room, we've got mum Jean's kitchen.
0:12:13 > 0:12:20At least the ceiling looks... No. I was just going to say the ceiling looks more level, but it's not.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It dips down and comes back up again.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28You can actually feel there... You've got a ridge here.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30And that is visible.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34This ridge, it goes level there and then it falls away there.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Look at that! Wow!
0:12:38 > 0:12:42You know what? A quid is about all I'd have paid for this work!
0:12:42 > 0:12:48Upstairs, the new master bedroom is part of the extension to the side of the house.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Ah, so this must be the master bedroom.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01But once again... Oh, man! This floor's dodgy!
0:13:03 > 0:13:08OK. Definite problems. Major problems with this floor.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11This floor needs to come up.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17Along from Lucine and David's bedroom is the new bathroom for the girls.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21This is unfinished, for a start. This needs to be zonal lighting.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27When it's anywhere where there's steam or moisture, it's got to have fittings that are IP rated,
0:13:27 > 0:13:33which is ingress protection, stopping moisture from getting in to the actual fitting.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38They also should be fire rated too. I know for sure that they're not.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44Those need to be replaced. But this is just unfinished. It needs finishing off.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Finally, I need to look outside to see how the new
0:13:49 > 0:13:53and old parts of the house have been secured together.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56I mean, look how wide that is.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Time and time again when we've peeled stuff back like this,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02we've found they're not tied in at all.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It's just a bit of mortar wedged in the gap.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10And because that's so broad, that gives me suspicion that it's not been done correctly.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15When you come to the top, you can see it's starting to break away.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18I think I've got the picture of what's gone on.
0:14:18 > 0:14:25But I want homeowner David to show me the problems that have affected the family most.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- Looking at that, you've got moisture damage.- We've had flooding from when the steels went on the roof
0:14:30 > 0:14:35and we've had water coming in, my Mum's bedroom, bathroom, spare bedroom.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38I don't think we've had a room without water coming in.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42I'm telling you, mate, this job is rubbish! There's no two ways about that.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46I'm concerned about the construction of this building.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Very concerned. Let's get out of here. Oh, ah.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I wouldn't mind having a look in that inspection hatch.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Oh! You are having a laugh!
0:15:00 > 0:15:02I don't like that at all!
0:15:03 > 0:15:04This is crazy.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Got a 13 amp junction box in there that's got no top on it,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10we've got bare copper cables going on...
0:15:10 > 0:15:13That is not good at all.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15But to see that...
0:15:15 > 0:15:20If that occurs, whatever he was doing in the extension, that's a worry.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Upstairs, the extension sits just above and to the side of the granny annexe.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30David and Lucine's bedroom hasn't escaped the builder's blunders.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- Here we are. This is our lovely bedroom we had made.- OK.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38This is what it was all about for us, our dream bedroom.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44Right. I mean, it's uneven... Before even the carpets went down, when the flooring went in,
0:15:44 > 0:15:49you must have walked on it and gone, "This feels a bit unsafe."
0:15:49 > 0:15:54We were advised ultimately, by the time we got the bed on it and the furniture, it would settle down.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59This is utter cobblers when it comes down to it!
0:15:59 > 0:16:03When your bed's in, all of a sudden the floor's going to be good?!
0:16:03 > 0:16:07The answer to that is all of a sudden, the floor is going to be downstairs!
0:16:07 > 0:16:11That's eventually... That is terrible!
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Next, it's the en suite.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17This is our piece de resistance.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Sort of.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Right.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Wobbly floors are no good to tile on. That's the first thing I notice.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30You're getting burst out there on the grout.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33The grout is popping up and in no time,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37you'll start to get tiles cracking. Looks like the floor's on a slope.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Oh, come on! That's a monster bath!
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- Yep.- That's a tremendous weight.- Yep.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50That's got to be on a really solid structure. What are we sitting on?
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- Thick plywood, as far as I know. Very thick.- It'd need to be.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58The real truth is this is not fit for purpose.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03David's calling on another tradesman chum to help out.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07I've got a friend who's a sparky and he's going to be putting it right for me.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10He's a knight in shining armour.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Did you think originally your builder was a knight in shining armour and a good friend?
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Do you want the truth? I think he still is. I still think he is.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Call me a mug.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Your heart is massive!
0:17:24 > 0:17:30That is why these people have got away with what they have been doing.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Seriously, mate. I promise you.
0:17:33 > 0:17:40- I don't want to make it any tougher. I'm not pulling any punches. - That's fine. Just give me a sec.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Come on, onwards and upwards now.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49David and Lucine have spent an absolute fortune and have been left with so many problems.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It's no wonder they've hit breaking point.
0:17:52 > 0:17:59Their daughters were promised a gorgeous girly bathroom. Instead, they've ended up with a botched job.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- So this section here, about a metre, is your new bit.- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09This was originally the landing. We've pushed the bathroom out, so they've got a bit more room,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12can have a beautiful shower put in here, new bath.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Eventually get it tiled, so they're not living in a building site.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18How important would it be to get this bathroom done?
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Well, my little girl's seven, my eldest is nine,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27Sophie and Emily have been living in a building site all that time, since they've lived here.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Emily knows nothing other than building site, almost.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35This will be their special place, they can bring their friends, be proud.
0:18:35 > 0:18:41I think it would be huge, if we can get this done for the girls. It would make a big difference.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Later, it's judgment time for the bad builder's work,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51when I call in an independent chartered surveyor.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54It's an ongoing list. The more you look, the more you find.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59And Lucine and David discover some shocking news.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Now we've found out that there's nothing at Building Control.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- They've got no paperwork. - We found that out this week.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14Lucine and David's dream was for a home fit for three generations of their family.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19The renovation comprised a double garage conversion for mum Jean
0:19:19 > 0:19:23and an extension so the girls could have their own bathroom.
0:19:23 > 0:19:30The job also included a kitchen, en suite bathroom, windows, electrics, flooring and redecoration.
0:19:31 > 0:19:38The builder fled to America after taking around £60,000 from the unsuspecting family.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42They were left with a huge list of snags, including a leaking roof,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46faulty flooring, dangerous electrics and bodged bathrooms.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50They've had to do 40 grand's worth of remedial work,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54so they've run out of money and the end is nowhere in sight.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58It's time for me to find out how they ended up in such a bind.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03When did you start to realise that maybe the work
0:20:03 > 0:20:08that your friend was carrying out wasn't right?
0:20:08 > 0:20:13Initially, he went to Florida for a holiday and I at that point
0:20:13 > 0:20:17started getting very concerned that he wasn't coming back.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21And then, he did come back. And he carried on doing the work.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24But the pace seemed to slow down and then he came
0:20:24 > 0:20:27and spoke to David just before he went to Florida the second time.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33He even said to us, "You must be scared witless I'm not coming back. I tell you know I'm coming back."
0:20:33 > 0:20:38How did you go about paying him? I'm really afraid now about what you're about to say.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43You just know it would be £1,000 here, £1,500 there.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Ultimately, there was only between £700-£900 left in the pot.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- What?! Out of 68 grand?! - Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:57And I don't even believe to this moment now that you think
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- that this guy's done you wrong. Do you?- No.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07I think he hit hard times in America, like he told me, and he's gone bust and we're just victims.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11That's the straight honest truth. That's what I think he did.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16David was and still is convinced his builder pal is a good guy.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19But even his faith has been tested this week.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Three years after the bad builder ran out,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26they found out that a man who inspected their property
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and who their builder led them to believe was a building inspector
0:21:29 > 0:21:33wasn't from the local building control office at all.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Throughout the work, the same person kept turning up.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42We answered the door to him, "Hi, I'm from Building Control, come to inspect what's been done,"
0:21:42 > 0:21:44so at that point we're thinking,
0:21:44 > 0:21:49"He's from Building Control and we don't need to do anything
0:21:49 > 0:21:53"until we come to completing, when we'll then get in contact with them
0:21:53 > 0:21:55"and say there's been more work done."
0:21:55 > 0:22:03So you found out very recently that there was no building regs applied for, so we don't even know
0:22:03 > 0:22:10whether any of this work meets building regs.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Now we've found out that there's nothing at Building Control.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- They've got no paperwork. - We found that out this week.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22Have you any idea who he might have been? He wasn't from Building Control.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- No.- Absolutely no idea. - We thought he was an inspector from Building Control.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32I'm concerned about your safety right now with the work that's been carried out.
0:22:32 > 0:22:39The reason I want to paint the picture black is because I don't want to give you any false hope.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We need to get it inspected at some stage.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46You need to make sure it's inspected for peace of mind.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51It's very, very important. This has hurt big style.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Lucine and David have been badly burned,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58so if you're having any work done on your property, take my advice.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Even if your builder or project manager
0:23:07 > 0:23:10is organising it for you, you're still accountable.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19It could even result in demolition.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23The worst thing for the Phillips family
0:23:23 > 0:23:27is that their so-called friend has left them in possible danger.
0:23:27 > 0:23:33We need to rectify some of those builder wrongs to get them started on the long road to recovery.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39What could we do that would help you?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Look after our little girls.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45What can we do to make life even happier for them?
0:23:45 > 0:23:51The bathroom's a building site and they need that finishing off,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55so they can have their friends over and go in there
0:23:55 > 0:24:01and it's not all plaster and paint and horrible and bits hanging off the walls.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04So make it a little dream area for them.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06They all lived happily ever after type thing.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10- To go with their bedrooms. - So we agree on that?
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Eh, listen, I know it's tough, but we're here to help.
0:24:15 > 0:24:21I'm keen to have this work assessed, so I've called in independent chartered surveyor Chris Harkin
0:24:21 > 0:24:24to cast his professional eye over the job.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37- Ah, Chris. This is where I find you. How are you, sir?- Very good.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39You've had a good look around,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43so if you could pick out some major faults, what would they be?
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Well, looking through my copious notes,
0:24:46 > 0:24:51we've got leaks appearing everywhere, uneven floors, springy floors,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53which has therefore broken the tiles.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58We've got wholesale incomplete areas such as this bathroom,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and other items unfinished on the outside.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04There's beam supports, which are cracking the brickwork.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08We know planning permission had been applied for but there's no paperwork
0:25:08 > 0:25:11to suggest anything's been done in terms of building regulations.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15If there's no calculations been supplied to building regulations, it won't comply.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Wow! Now that means BIG trouble.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21This is the problem, for anybody watching at home,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24it's not just about applying for planning application.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26It's about building regs as well.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Could it have been builder notice they put in
0:25:29 > 0:25:31or was it official plans that had gone in?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33If anything, it would have been building notice.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37So they went in on building notice, which is completely different.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41'Building notice is an alternative to full planning permission.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45It's designed to enable some types of work to start quickly,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47but it's best suited to smaller jobs.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49It's cheaper and faster,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53as you only have to submit basic rather than detailed plans.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57However, these basic building notice plans will not be checked
0:25:57 > 0:26:01to make sure they comply with building regulations.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04This can mean work having to be altered during the build,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07therefore increasing costs.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11My advice for any major work is apply for full planning permission
0:26:11 > 0:26:15so you know you're on the right path from the start.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20Now in the bathroom area, which is what we're going to focus on, what problems have you found?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23This bathroom area is just incomplete.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25There are things which need to be done.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Finishing off the walls, finishing off the decorations.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31These light fittings are inappropriate for this environment.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34We're dealing with water so they have to be steam proof.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- Anything else?- There's lots of unfinished items of work.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40There's finishes that were done, which are fading.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43That's premature failure. Something's making that happen.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46There are roof leaks from where the new steelworks were put in,
0:26:46 > 0:26:48where steelwork has damaged the roof.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52- The more you look, the more you find. - Is this work of a cowboy builder?
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Would you say that the work has been carried out here is substandard?
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I think he's overstretched himself, bitten off more than he can chew.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04especially coupled with dealing with various local authority regulation,
0:27:04 > 0:27:09he's really just taken on far too much.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12As far as Lucine and David are concerned,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15they used to get maximum scores quite a lot of the time
0:27:15 > 0:27:17when they were ice dancing.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19In terms of the builder's work,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22if you were to give him a mark out of ten, what would it be?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25It's quite a poor job already and it's little more than complete,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28a little more than halfway complete, shall I say,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32so I can only give it a little over half marks, so six out of ten.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- Thank you, Chris. - Pleasure.- Nice to see you.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I think six out of ten is a generous mark.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42The score for the overall work in the house would be much lower.
0:27:42 > 0:27:49Before I bring in our Good Guys, Sophie and Emily have ideas of their own about their dream bathroom.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52We'd actually really like a bath
0:27:52 > 0:27:54like our mummy and daddy's
0:27:54 > 0:27:59and sparkly things in our room like our mummy and daddy have.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04We would like kind of like a border
0:28:04 > 0:28:08of, like, sparkles in either black or blue.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12There you have it.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15This is certainly an area that's unfinished
0:28:15 > 0:28:18but I think it's also unsafe for Sophie and Emily to use as a bathroom.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21So I'm going to cordon the area off.
0:28:21 > 0:28:22It's no-go zone for them
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and the only people that can now pass this tape
0:28:25 > 0:28:28is me and the Good Guys.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33Sophie and Emily's bathroom needs a thorough revamp.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Lucine and David think the girls have suffered enough of this bathroom building site
0:28:37 > 0:28:42so they're contributing to the material costs of the makeover.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Our team of local builders, headed up by Mark, is raring to go.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52What is the plan? What are you going to do for us?
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Going to put a nice shower cubicle in the corner, OK.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Take these tops off, remove all the tiling,
0:28:58 > 0:29:02get rid of this horrendous sort of plastic trim window stuff
0:29:02 > 0:29:04he's bodged up and put on there.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09- That is horrible, I agree.- Remove this bath and put a nice whirlpool.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12- Whirlpool bath!- That'll be nice for them.- That will be nice.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17- In terms of the tiles, you're going to whip all them off. - Whip 'em all off.- Floor tiles?
0:29:17 > 0:29:21When we tile them we'll use nice big format tiles and have it completely tiled through.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- Underfloor heating will be nice. - Wow! Yeah.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- That'll be good.- We're having some of that!- Having some of that.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29From a safety point of view, I'm not happy with the downlighters
0:29:29 > 0:29:32cos first of all I don't think they're IP rated.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37- We will change all lighting through and put shower lighting all the way through.- Fantastico.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39We'll have to put an extract fan in for regs anyway,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42and we'll put it over in that corner above the shower.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46Erm, change the basin because it's a little bit small, isn't it?
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- It's sort of a kiddy thing.- Yeah.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51I think you'll have noticed there's a theme around here
0:29:51 > 0:29:53in terms of the girls.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57It's sort of escapism. It's a fairy story, if you like.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01I think what we're hoping to do with this bathroom is to create that.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03I can't wait to see the finished result so boys,
0:30:03 > 0:30:05thank you for your time.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- I'll let you carry on. Cheers, fellas.- Thank you.
0:30:11 > 0:30:16Coming up, I can't wait to show the girls their sparkling new bathroom.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18I love it!
0:30:21 > 0:30:24In Reading, Lucine and David's builder buddy took £60,000
0:30:24 > 0:30:28to create a dream home for all three generations to share.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32But instead of a gorgeous granny annexe and elegant extension,
0:30:32 > 0:30:36the Phillips family were left with a snagging list including
0:30:36 > 0:30:39a leaky roof, botched bathrooms,
0:30:39 > 0:30:44bumpy flooring, dangerous electrics and a £40,000 bill
0:30:44 > 0:30:46for remedial work on top.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Mark and his team are hard at it making Sophie
0:30:49 > 0:30:53and Emily's bathroom fit for a pair of princesses.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56And hopefully giving Lucine and David some respite
0:30:56 > 0:30:58from the rest of their builder bodges.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01The tiles we've gone for are nice Porcelanosa.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Sort of a shiny mosaic effect.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08They should glisten with the light in.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11So it should give them that little sparkly feel that they wanted.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14I'm hoping!
0:31:14 > 0:31:17They've only just started work and guess what?
0:31:17 > 0:31:21Mark's already come across a few nasty surprises.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23We found loads of little horrors
0:31:23 > 0:31:28which are obviously going to take time to put right and everything.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Erm, there's pipes in walls, which are not going nowhere
0:31:32 > 0:31:34but they're still holding water.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36When you drain down the hole, water.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39They've got to be gone, rectified.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43Erm, the plaster ceiling, we touched that
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and basically that falls away. We've got to replaster.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48The ceiling areas as well.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52We did find a few things that are a bit of no-no in a bathroom.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56We found live cables under the bath, not capped off and permanently live,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58which is a bit dangerous really.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02To say the least. And it, you know, would've killed.
0:32:02 > 0:32:09The Phillips family were not just left with a wrecked home but were also broken-hearted
0:32:09 > 0:32:12when their so-called builder buddy abused their friendship.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Our team has received no response to our emails
0:32:16 > 0:32:19and his numbers are disconnected.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22With no address in America, he's become untraceable,
0:32:22 > 0:32:27so I want to help Lucine and David offload all their unanswered questions.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30At this stage I'd be saying,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32"You've got an opportunity to speak to him on the phone.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34"Would you like to take it?"
0:32:34 > 0:32:39We know he's now gone to Florida and he's completely uncontactable.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43If you did have the opportunity to speak to him,
0:32:43 > 0:32:45what would you have liked to have asked him?
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I would just like for him to tell me truthfully, face-to-face,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51if he went to America and went bust,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54and that was why we were left as we were,
0:32:55 > 0:33:00erm, why perhaps we've never ever got the plans.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03And what are we supposed to be doing with the building people
0:33:03 > 0:33:08at the council to find out what exactly they want.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10And if you could have a question you could line up to him?
0:33:10 > 0:33:15I'd quite like to know whether or not he knew he was doing a bad job
0:33:15 > 0:33:19but I don't suppose he'd answer that question honestly anyway.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23No he'd probably suggest maybe he believed he was doing a good job.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Say he came back from Florida and you just happened to be
0:33:26 > 0:33:30walking down the street, what do you think his response would be?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Do you think he'd run off?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Or do you think he'd make a bee-line for you? What would you say?
0:33:37 > 0:33:42Wow, d'you know, I think he'd come and have a cup of tea.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43- I do! - You think he would?
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I don't know about Lucine but I think he'd come for a cup of tea.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50I think he'd walk past us like we weren't there
0:33:50 > 0:33:53and I think he'd be one of these, like you see like when you catch the bloke,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57- One of these "get the camera out of my face" kind of reactions.- Yeah.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I think that's what you'd get.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Maybe you'll never find out, but there's always a possibility.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06His roots are here so hopefully he will have a conscience
0:34:06 > 0:34:10and one day call and say sorry. That's the minimum.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14The Phillips family have come a real cropper,
0:34:14 > 0:34:16trusting their cowboy builder.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19But thankfully, Mark has been working wonders with his top team.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22I want to take a look at how they're getting on.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- Hey! What a difference a few days make, eh?- Better, innit?
0:34:28 > 0:34:32- I tell you what!- A bit better! - This looks so different.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37- It just looks sort of so, I dunno, so "wow"!- Yeah.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- I think that's the tiles, isn't it? Giving it that glittery effect. - Yeah.- What the girls wanted.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- So shower cubicle.- Another shower cubicle in there.- Yeah.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50- Nice two head shower unit.- Yep. The spa bath.- Spa bath.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- Looks spectacular.- Yeah.- You boys have played an absolute blinder.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57- Well played, son. Brilliant job. - Not a problem.- Loving it!
0:34:57 > 0:34:59- See you later.- No probs.- Cheers.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04I'm never happier than when the Good Guys are on the job.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10It just goes to show that there's plenty of good 'uns out there if you just do your research.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13So while Mark and the guys add those finishing touches
0:35:13 > 0:35:16to Sophie and Emily's bathroom, I've come to this building college
0:35:16 > 0:35:21in Warrington where they train the next generation of Good Guys.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25It's an ideal place to show you how to fix one of the most common
0:35:25 > 0:35:28washroom whinges, those leaky taps.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Phil, this is a problem that you'll come across in lots of houses,
0:35:33 > 0:35:37where they'll leave the tap dripping, they don't understand why.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41They've really cranked it up to shut it down but it's still dripping.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Is there a simple way, simple exercise,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48that you can do at home to sort this out?
0:35:48 > 0:35:50If you want to give it a go,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53there are some basic steps you can use for changing a washer.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- Little tip, put your plug in.- Why?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00If you do drop anything, it's in the sink. Does not go down the plug hole.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02- Good shout. - Make sure your water's off.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05- Go to your isolation valve, switch it off half a turn.- OK.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Screwdriver. Undo.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11- Take your top off. Unscrews.- OK.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Then you get the wrench out?
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Get your wrench out. Start to undo it.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21- Might need a little bit of force. Take your tap out.- Take that off.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23Again, you can find these washers down your DIY stores,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26builders' merchants, whatever.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- Pop your new one on.- It's on. Job's a good 'un.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Tighten up.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Again, tighten it up, put your resistance on it,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37on goes the housing, on goes the top.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38Tighten up.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42And all you've got to do, whether it's for the hot or cold tap,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44red or the blue,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46put your selector on.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- How about that?- How's about that? Turn our water on.- Look at that.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- There we go.- I tell you what, well played, Phil. Nice one. - Thanks very much.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Back at the house, I'm looking forward to showing Lucine and David
0:36:59 > 0:37:02their brilliant bathroom and hopefully giving them
0:37:02 > 0:37:05a bit of relief from their renovation wrongs.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Their bad builder friend had taken over 60 grand
0:37:08 > 0:37:11and left them in a shambles,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14but Mark and his team have done a great job!
0:37:14 > 0:37:17So I'm going to grab one last peek before I show the family.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23Now, this is great!
0:37:23 > 0:37:25What a difference!
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Unbelievable!
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Twin-headed shower.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Ooh, yeah, I like that as well! We've now got an extractor fan
0:37:35 > 0:37:37and a zone one light fitting.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41So, not only have you got the light and it's IP rated as well,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44so it's protected against the steam, but also, you've got a fan
0:37:44 > 0:37:49that works at source, so it's taking the steam straight out.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53New light fittings. Again, they're going to be fire-rated, I'm sure.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Crown towel rail - that's different. It looks fantastic.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Jacuzzi bath as well! I'm going to switch that on!
0:38:01 > 0:38:03JACUZZI BLASTS
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Now that's bubbleicious!
0:38:10 > 0:38:11I'm loving the tiles.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15I mean, the black and the white, it just looks superb.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17And I'm loving the actual definition.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19You've got some real nice definition on that tile,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22and I think that'll reflect a lot with the light,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25because these are halogen, and you'll get some great reflection.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29You've got sparkly bits all over the place, which is great for the girls too.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It's just a really, sort of, contemporary bathroom,
0:38:32 > 0:38:36so as the girls grow older, it doesn't need to be changed.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39But I think they'll just love the magic of it. It's amazing!
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Hey, do you like the Hollywood glamour light-mirror?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Oh, look at that!
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Who is that handsome beast?
0:38:47 > 0:38:51Do you know what? It's a cracking job. I can't wait to show the guys.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53I'm going to go get 'em right now.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I think they're going to love it!
0:38:56 > 0:38:57For the last three years,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01Lucine and David have been feeling guilty that their daughters
0:39:01 > 0:39:03have been growing up in a building site.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Our top team has achieved an amazing finish,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10and I can't wait for the girls to see their brand new bathroom.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13But I want Lucine and David to see what can be done
0:39:13 > 0:39:15when you get the good guys on the job.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19Just hold it right there on the landing, just for a second or two, before we go in,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21because I want to know from you guys,
0:39:21 > 0:39:23what it was like before we arrived.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24It was a mess.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29It was some tiles, some carpet,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32plaster on the walls, no shower.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Old-fashioned bath, old sink,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37manky taps, illegal lighting.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Yeah, illegal lighting!
0:39:39 > 0:39:40No extractor!
0:39:40 > 0:39:43What was the dream? What did you want to happen in there?
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Just to have a nice bathroom for the girls, something they'll like now
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- and still like when they're teenagers.- Yeah.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- Something to grow into, bit of sparkle.- Contemporary...
0:39:52 > 0:39:54- Yeah.- A bit more up to date.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Something they can show their friends and be proud of.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- Let's check it out. After you, Lucine.- OK.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Here we go!
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Right.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- OK.- Come on, then, let's have a look.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07- Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Wow!
0:40:12 > 0:40:16- Oh, it's fabulous, isn't it? - Oh, wow! They're going to love it.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19They're going to absolutely love this.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22And the shower! It's fabulous! Look at that!
0:40:23 > 0:40:24They've got sparkly handles.
0:40:26 > 0:40:27Oh, cool!
0:40:28 > 0:40:30- Do you like that? - Yeah, that's great!
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Look at the bath. Check out that.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35That's the mini version of ours.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37They've got a new loo?
0:40:37 > 0:40:38Oh, yeah!
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- But how amazing does this look now? - Oh, it's brilliant!
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- Million times.- Absolutely fabulous.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46What a difference!
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- You'd never have thought this could be so nice.- Watch this!
0:40:49 > 0:40:50Abracadabra!
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Wow!
0:40:53 > 0:40:54Fabulous!
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Lucine and David seem chuffed to bits,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59but this is the girls' bathroom,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02so I want Sophie and Emily to take a peek!
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- What do you think? - SOPHIE:- I love it!
0:41:13 > 0:41:14You love it?
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Is it fit for princesses?
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Brilliant!
0:41:18 > 0:41:20What do you think of this?
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Brand new tap.
0:41:21 > 0:41:22Yeah!
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Go on, you can turn it on.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Woo!
0:41:27 > 0:41:28Emily!
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Ah-h-h!
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- JACUZZI BLASTS - Yeah!
0:41:34 > 0:41:35What about the other one?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- So is that a big thumbs-up from everyone?- Like this.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Yay!
0:41:41 > 0:41:46Lucine and David have still got lots to do, but in future,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49they'll be guided by a genuine building control inspector.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52We accomplished our goal of giving them a bit of respite
0:41:52 > 0:41:54from their bungling builder-botches.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57What's more, Sophie and Emily
0:41:57 > 0:41:59have got a bathroom they can enjoy
0:41:59 > 0:42:02and show off when their friends come over to visit.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Ah, you can't beat a happy ending!
0:42:04 > 0:42:06You guys all look after yourself.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09It's time for me to disappear, but it's been great to see you.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12- What do you say to Clive? - Absolutely top!- Thank you!
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- Bye!- God bless you, Clive. - Pleasure! Absolute pleasure!
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- I think we do more than that girls, don't we? Come on!- Big hugs! Yay!
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Well, I hope you'll agree that that bathroom is a real cracker
0:42:26 > 0:42:29and the girls are going to have so much fun in there.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33And we've turned that area of this nightmare part of the property
0:42:33 > 0:42:35into a real fairytale.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37I do hope it has a Happy Ever After too,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39but it's all a case of "watch this space."
0:42:39 > 0:42:42So remember, if you're having building work done,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45do your research and that way you won't go falling
0:42:45 > 0:42:47into the cowboy trap.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50If you've had a problem with builders and you would like to
0:42:50 > 0:42:53tell your story on Cowboy Trap, then please call us.
0:43:02 > 0:43:03Or you can send us an e-mail.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Help us round-up the cowboys!
0:43:12 > 0:43:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd